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Hancock County Recorder Information

The recorder in Hancock County is responsible for recording and maintaining records related to real property situated in the County.

Multiple Transaction Documents: (Multiple releases on one document, Multiple assignments on one document, etc.) $7.00 per transaction plus $5.00 for each additional page

Documents that do not conform to the requirements, except for those that are exempt, may be charged an additional $10 per noncompliant document.

Note that recording fees are subject to change. Please verify the information with the local recorder’s office.

Document Formatting Requirements

The act of recording a document serves as constructive notice to all persons. An instrument that is not recorded in the county where the property is located is not valid against subsequent purchasers for a valuable consideration without notice.

An instrument evidencing an interest in real estate that is recorded will have priority over any lien that is given equal precedence with ordinary taxes, as described in the Iowa Code, section 558.41, as filed in the office of the recorder in the county where the real estate is situated prior to the filing of a conflicting instrument affecting the real estate.

The county recorder shall refuse any document presented for recording that does not meet the following requirements:

Each document should consist of one or more individual pages that are not permanently bound or in a continuous form. There should not be any attachments stapled or otherwise affixed to a page except as necessary to comply with statutory requirements. However, the individual pages of an instrument may be stapled together for presentation for recording. A firmly attached label with a barcode or return address may be attached to the first page.

All pre-printed text must be at least 8 point in size and no more than 20 characters and spaces per inch. All other text that is typed or computer-generated including, but not limited to all names of parties to an agreement, shall be at least 10 point in size and no more than 16 characters and spaces per inch. If there is type smaller than 8 point for pre-printed text and 10 point for all other text, the document should be accompanied by an exact typewritten copy that meets the requirements.

A document must be sufficiently legible to produce a clear reproduction. If an illegible document is submitted, it must be accompanied by a legible copy. The legible copy will be recorded as additional pages, for which additional fees will apply.

Submit documents on white paper of no less than 20 # weight without watermarks or other visible inclusions. All text must be of sufficient clarity to ensure that the text is readable when reproduced from the record.

All signatures should be in black or dark blue ink and of sufficient color and clarity to ensure that the signatures are readable when the document is reproduced from record. Corresponding names should be typed, printed, or stamped beneath original signatures. The typing or printing of a name or the application of an embossed or inked stamp should not cover or otherwise materially interfere with any part of the document, except where provided by law. The failure to print or type signatures does not invalidate the document.

The first page should have a blank top margin of 3 inches, which is reserved for the recorder’s use. All other margins should be a minimum of three-quarters of one inch. Non-essential information including, but not limited to form numbers, page numbers, or customer notations may be placed in margins, but not in the top margin.

Below the 3-inch margin on the first page, provide the following information:

a. The name, address, and telephone number of the individual who prepared the document.

b. The name of the taxpayer and a complete mailing address.

c. The return address.

d. The title of the document.

e. All grantors’ names.

f. All grantees’ names.

g. Any address required by statute.

h. The legal description of the property and parcel identification number, if required.

i. A document or instrument number for statutory requirements, if applicable.

If there is not enough space on the first page for all the required information, include the page reference where the information is set out.

When there is a difference between the given names or initials in which title is taken, and the given names or initials of the grantor in a succeeding conveyance, and the surnames in both instances are written the same or sound the same, the conveyance is presumptive evidence that the surname in the several conveyances refers to the same person.

A Declaration of Value statement reflecting the full consideration paid in certain non-exempt real estate conveyances should be submitted to the county recorder at the time a deed, contract, instrument, or other writing is presented for recording.
This is required by Iowa law. Part I, the Declaration of Value, is to be completed by the buyer or seller or either’s agent for non-exempt transactions. Part II is to be completed by the assessor.

This form does not have to be completed for a document presented for recording which clearly indicates that it is an exempt transaction. Refer to Iowa Administrative Code 701-79.5 for further details. If the transaction is exempt but the exemption isn’t clearly stated on the actual document presented for recording, Part I of the form must be completed. If the form is not completed accurately and in full for non-exempt transactions by the buyer or seller (or either’s agent), the county recorder is required by law to refuse to record the contract, deed, or other instrument conveying the affected property.

This form can be obtained from the Iowa Department of Revenue webpage.

The transferor of real property is required to complete a groundwater hazard statement form. The purpose of the statement is to satisfy legal requirements for filing instruments of conveyance of real property with the county recorder. The Department of Natural Resources does not approve or disapprove of property transfers based on the statement. The statement must be signed by one of the persons transferring the property interest (or that person’s agent).